Apparatus for refining metals



Aug. 14, 1923. 1,465,128

* I Hi. HARRES APPARATUS FOR REFINING METALS Filed Feb. 16. 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet Aug. 14, 1923. 1,465,128

' H. HARRIS APPARATUS FOR REFINING METALS Filed Feb. 16 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 wn lwfizjz I Q 6% l/ f @FEZorw Patented Aug. 14, 1%23.

HENRY HARRIS, 01F LGNDON, ENGLAND.

APPARATUS FOR REFINING METMJS.

Application tiled February 16, 1922. Serial No. 537,009.

tain new and useful Improved Apparatus for Refining Metals, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to apparatus. for refining molten metals of comparatively low melting point, particularly lead, by passing them through a suitable molten reagent.

The apparatus comprises a pot containing the molten reagent, a pump for raising the molten metal and discharging it into the upper part of the pot and means for heating the molten reagent, the essential feature beingthat all these. parts are carried by a framework as a single piece of apparatus which can be lowered into a pot of molten metal for the purpose of circulating the latter through the molten reagent.

The framework may also carry a motor 1 for driving. the pump and the shaft driven by a motor may also drive a stirrer for ensuring thorough contact of the molten metal with the reagent through which it descends.

The means for heating the reagent may be a by-pass to the flue of the furnace which heats the molten metal, such by-pass beingcarried by the framework and so formed that it becomes connected with the flue when the apparatus is lowered into the molten metal.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention, Figs. 1 and 2 being the same vertical section showing the apparatus in two positions relatively to the melting pot. Fig. 3 is a plan.

It is assumed that lead is the metal to be refined.

The frame a is adapted to rest on the rim 1) of the melting pot c and carries vertical members d constituting a frame for carrying an electric motor e havin a vertical shaft The lower part of thls shaft, below the frame a, is protected by an iron casing g and its lower end drives with the rotary member of the centrifugal pump h. The delivery ipe i of this pump opens above a cylin rical container is, the lower part of which is of considerably reduced section and has a siphon trap Z. This conta-iner is supported by the frame a and is for the pur se of containing the molten reagent (S110 and caustic soda), which is retained by a as a mixtureof common salt seal of lead in the siphon trap Z and is maintained at suitable temperature by a acket m through which hot gases circulate as presently to be described. I

The upper end of the motor shaft f drives, through a horizontal shaft 01, a stirrer 0 which works in the container 70, the arms 10 of which stirrer serve to deflect the molten metal and to keep the reagent in motion. The horizontal shaft n is carried by a sleeve n fixed to a bracket n mounted on a turntable a coaxial with the motor shaft and also carrying the gear box a. Also, the bent upper end of the delivery pipe 2' has a swivel joint 2''.

The nozzle 9 which terminates the delivery. pipe 2' is surrounded by a pipe 9' perforated to deliver into the jet from the nozzle, streams of air or steam which serve to scatter the lead and at the same time supply oxygen to oxidize a small portion of the lead and thereby aid the refining action of the reagent. In the case shown steam is supplied to this perforated pipe by means of a flash boiler 1' connected with a water su ply at r and with the perforated pipe g y a flexible steam pipe 1. The boiler r is heated by the molten lead when the apparatus is at work. i

The melting pot c is set in a furnace the products of combustion in which pass over the bottom and sides of the pot and then pass into an annular flue s to bedischarged into a bent flue consisting of passages 25, u capable of separation by a damper v and each closed at its upper end by a cover If, u (Fig. l).

The apparatus" is normally suspended from a c'ranew as shown in Fig. 1, and when it is to be used is lowered on to the melting pot, which has been charged with molten metal to be refined. This position is shown in Fig. 2, and before it has been attained theucovers t, u have been removed so that the lower ends of pipes :12 and 3 enter the upper ends of passages t and u.

The pump h, flash boiler r and trap .l are now heated by the molten lead; the products of combustion pass up pi a: into the casing m where they are oompe led by the battle 2 to pass around the container to arrive at pipe 7 down which they are drawn, passing through passage u to the chimney flue.

. When the pump is sufficiently hot the motor is started to pump the metal into the container until the lower part thereof and the trap l are full. The pump 13 then stopped and the molten reagent is poured into the container. The motor is thereupon again started and the circulation of the metal continued until the desired degree of refining has been attained.

lVhen the operation is completed the stirrer 0 is detached from shaft n, the arm n and the bend of the delivery pipe i are turned aside, and the container is lifted by the crane for removing from it the spent reagent by pouring or dissolution.

Having thus described the nature of the said invention and the best means I'know of carryi 'ig the same into practical effect, I claim 1. Apparatus for refining molten metal bypassing it through a molten reagent, comprising'a melting pot for the metal, a framework adapted to be lowered to reston the melting pot, a container for the molten reagent carried by the framework, means carried by the framework and immersed in the molten metal for raising the latter and delivering it into the container, and a passage between the bottom of the container and the melting pot.

2. Apparatus for refining a molten metal by passing it through a molten reagent, comprising a melting pot for the metal, a framework adapted to be lowered to rest on the melting pot, a container for the molten reagent carried by the framework, a pump carried by the framework so that it is im mersed in the molten metal, a delivery pipe 1;) the pump adapted to deliver the molten etal into the container and a passage through which the molten metal returns to the melting pot from the container.

3. Apparatus for refining a molten metal by passingit through a molten reagent, comprising a melting ot for the metal, a framework adapted to lie lowered to rest on the melting pot, a container for the molten reagent carried by the framework, a pump carried by the framework so that it is immersed in the molten metal, a delivery pipe to the pump adapted to deliver the molten metal into the container and a trap at the bottom of the container adapted to seal the latter With metal and immersed in the molten metal.

4. Apparatus for refining a molten metal by passing it through a molten reagent, comprising a melting pot for the metal, a framework adapted to be lowered to rest on the melting pot, a container for the molten reagent carried by the framework, a pump carried by the framework so that it is immersed in the molten metal, a delivery pipe to the pump adapted to deliver the molten metal into the container, a trap at the bottom of the container adapted to seal the latter with metal and immersed in the molten metal and means carried by the framework for maintaining the temperature of the molten reagent. L

5. Apparatus for refining a molten metal by passing it through a molten reagent, comprising a furnace, a melting pot for the metal set in the furnace, a framework adapted to be lowered to rest on the melting pot, a container for molten reagent carried by the framework, a jacket for the container, means whereby the flue gases from the furnace pass through the jacket around the container, means carried by the framework; and immersed in the molten met-a1 for delivering the latter into the top of the container, and a trap at the bottom of the container through which the metal returns to the melting pot.

6. Apparatus for refining a molten metal by passing it through a molten reagent, comprising a furnace, a melting pot for the metal set in the furnace, a framework adapted to be lowered to rest on the melting pot, a container for molten reagent carried by the framework, a acket for the container, means whereby the line gases from the furnace pass through the jacket around the container, a pump carried by the framework and immersed in the molten. metal, a delivery pipe to the said pump adapted to deliver the metal into the top of the container, a motor carried by the framework, a shaft to the motor driving the pump, a stirrer within the container, gearing between the shaft and the stirrer to drive the latter, and a trap at the bottom of the container through which the metal returns to the melting pot.

7. An apparatus adapted to be lowered into and raised from a melting pot for metal, comprising a container for areagent, a pump for raising the molten metal and circulating it through the molten reagent in the container, steam jets discharging close to the discharge nozzle of the pump, and a flash-boiler.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

HENRY HARRIS. 

